I picked up a July 2004 copy of Popular Mechanics earlier this week as I was in the waiting room of the Women's Clinic for my GF, and found a very interesting article. I snagged the entire mag to show to Phantum and others to see if we can get the pic scanned in. The pic is of an SUV-sized vehicle with the "stealth cover" all over it (to protect the secrets of the vehicle until confirmed either as a concept or a production prototype). Here is the article:

JEEPERS CREEPERS

"This appears to be a stretched Jeep Cherokee prototype in the full ("stealth") armor. But what you see may not be what Jeep has planned. In fact, this is a new design for Jeep. Despite that over-the-top-cover-up, it's possible to spot a number of features that help indicate the vehicle's true shape."

"First, if you look carefully, you see the angle of the windshield is more upright than that of the newly introduced Grand Cherokee. This is of major importance because changing that angle requires a number of structural revisions - alterations that go right to the heart of the chassis."

"Second, at the vehicle's back end, the longer rear overhang indicates more space inside for a third row of seats. Both departures indicate Jeep is planning an entirely new vehicle for 2006 or 2007, and not simply a stretched version of the new-for-2005 Grand Cherokee."

...end of article...

CAPTION UNDER PICTURE:

"BEHIND THE MASK: This is an all-new Jeep model, due in '06 or '07."

Now, looking at the picture, the nose is slanted similar to the 2005 Grand, and looks to be a little taller (just by comparing the wheel-base to what I remember on the '05...). The top of the Jeep has the same pronounced RECTANGULAR shape like the XJs, but it is obviously LONGER than earlier models. Similarly, the side of the Jeep has the same three-window pattern as the other XJs but a little longer in the back, and the rear of the Jeep comes nearly straight down (like the rear hatches on late-year XJs...). The placement of the bumpers and gas cap are also similarly placed. It also looks to have step-guards already mounted between the tires, but as we all know, this is probably an option, not a requisite.

I will be looking into scanning the picture ASAP for everyone to see, but mind you, the pic is small. The article can be found under "DETROIT SPY REPORT" if anyone wants to research it.

Looks like an XJ to me and overall dimensions from the pic look to be about the same,.... compared to my 2000xj the distance between the left rear fender well and the gas fill cover and the rear seems to be identical.
But i could be totally wrong too just my .02

Solid front axle...whoooo!!! I still won't believe it till I see it, they made the Liberty and the Grand IFS, who's to say the XJ won't be too. Drake69, did the article say anything about that or have pics to prove otherwise?

I really doubt DC would bring back anything that resembles the XJ to this degree. I could see them doing a special package on the Liberty and calling it a Cherokee. Speaking of that, you do know outside of North America, the Liberty is called the Cherokee?

Also, from the article quoted, I think they jumped to conclusions saying it was a new prototype Cherokee. Personally, without seeing the pic and trying to judge the vehicles size, I'd say it's more likely to be the Jeep Rescue concept perhaps moving along towards production, or a vehicle larger than the GC to compete with the Suburbans and Expeditions??? More vertical windshield. Larger rear overhand for 3rd row seating. Rectangular shape. Rear of Jeep comes straight down. Sounds exactly like the Jeep Rescue concept pics that we've all seen._________________04 Unlimited

Also, from the article quoted, I think they jumped to conclusions saying it was a new prototype Cherokee. Personally, without seeing the pic and trying to judge the vehicles size, I'd say it's more likely to be the Jeep Rescue concept perhaps moving along towards production, or a vehicle larger than the GC to compete with the Suburbans and Expeditions??? More vertical windshield. Larger rear overhand for 3rd row seating. Rectangular shape. Rear of Jeep comes straight down. Sounds exactly like the Jeep Rescue concept pics that we've all seen.

Not exactly. I'm looking at the pic again, and the rear still has the ANGLE like '99 and up Cherokees, which come nearly straight down. The article is also quoted word-for-word, so again, anything is possible. The pic doesn't have the height like the Rescue does, again comparing door-size to wheel-size, but then again it's hard to gauge that because it is wrapped up in the stealth armor. But overall, it looks like a normal Jeep Cherokee, just with the nose slanted and the even longer wheelbase. Picture a longer XJ with a Grand nosecone, and you get the idea. The pic is also only a profile, so there is no way to gauge actual width of the new Jeep either.

BTW, the comparison to the Grand is again the 2005 model, which is noticably SMALLER than earlier boat-sized Grand models.

Dang it, I REALLY need to scan this pic in so everyone can see it for themselves._________________

I dunno about the Liberty being "a stop-gap to create the gap to disengage XJ owners". DC, like any other corporation, makes decisions based on the bottom line. The fact is that Cherokee sales were declining. Here's the last 6 production years/numbers:

That was the reason for the XJ's demise. Period. They already had the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, whose numbers continue to do well. The KJ was designed to be marketed to those buying Kia's, Trackers, etc. Like Erik said, this new vehicle is most likely being targeted to compete with the large SUV market and is probably based around the Rescue and/or Dakar concept vehicles._________________97 XJ Sport with a bunch of stuff

Quote:

Never argue with idiots, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience

What you see on the picture is a beijing jeep xj, it's an xj produced by lisence in beijing. Only slight changes of the trim makes it different from the pree 96 Cherokee._________________'89 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer